Cinematographic apparatus



J. A. BALL ET AL CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS March 6, 1928.

s Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 21. 1923 177 verifzzts aseph 19-30026,

March 6, 1928.

J. A. BALL ET AL CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed July 21. 1923 5 sheets-sheet 2 J. A. BALL ET AL GINEMATOGRAPHI'C APPARATUS March .6, 1928.

Filedfiuly 2 1. 1923 SSheetg-Sheet 5 March 6, 1928. 1,661,157

J. A. BALL ET AL 0 INEMATOGRAPHI C APPARATUS Filed July 21, 1923 .5 sheets-Sheet 4 I R J. A. BALL ET AL CQINEMAITOGRAPHIC APPARATUS Filed Jul 21. 1923"" 5 V 5 sheets-5115a 5 J77 vaiifiizsi aseph r2 Eul Ernest l9. fi'allisora; MW

Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH A. BALL, OF CAMBRIDGE, ERNEST A; GALLISON, OF WATERTOWN, AND EAST- MAN A. WEAVER, OF BROOKLINE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNORS TO TECHNICOLOR MOTION' PICTURE CORPORATION, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OE MAINE.

CINEMATOGRAPHIC APPARAT'C'S.

Application filed July 21,

This invention relatesto the continuous registration of a plurality of cinematographic films for any purpose, such as cen1enting two complemental films together with their images in exact superposition, but particularly for the purpose of printing a blank film from a matrix film by the imbibition of dye from one to the other film.

Owing to the shrinkage and expansion of films due to changing conditions of moisture to which they are subjected in the liquid processes of forming the images and in the air before and after the images are formed itis extremely difiicult to bring the successive portions of long lengths of cinema films into registered superposition with the pre' cision necessary for steady and uniform pro:

jection of the finished pictures. While this diiliculty is encountered to some extent in the blacl -and-white branch of the art it is far more troublesome in the color branch of the art, particularly in subtractive films where the complemental images are dis- ,posed in superposition.

The object of this invention is to provide a method and apparatus by which cinematographic fihns of any length may be brought together in registry with speed and accuracy and without injury to the sprocket holes or other registering openings in the films.

The invention consists in the process and apparatus hereinafter claimed, certain illustrative embodiments being shown in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a side elevational view'of one form oi apparatus; a

Fig. 2 is a similar view of a modified form of apparatus;

Fig. 3 is an end elevational view partly in section of the registering drum shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side elevational view of another form of registering drum for use in the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an elevational view partly in section of the drum shown in Fig. 4;

. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatical side elevation of another form of apparatus;

Figs. 7 and 8 are respectively a fragmentary side elevational and a radial sectional view of the registering apparatus for use in the modification shown in Fig. 6; 1

Figs. 9 and 10 are respectively aside ele- 1923. Serial No. 652,898.

vational view and a radial sectional View of another form of registering apparatus for use in the modification shown in Fig. 6;

Fig. 11 is a side elevational view of another modification;

" Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view of the registering drum on the line 12-12 of Fig. 11; and

showing the pos1tions of the pins of drum 7 in the sprocket holes.

The particular embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 1 comprises a rotary drum 7 having film registering teeth or pins 18 on its periphery, the pins preferably being shaped to fit the film sprocket holes at their bases and being tapered toward their outer'ends. The films are fed to and from the drum tangentially, approaching the drum at the bottom and leaving at the top as shown in Fig. 1. The two films'8 and 9 which are to be registered on the drum pass over sprocket wheels 10, thence over rollers 16 through guide 17, over the drum, through guide 23, over rollers 24:, and thence over drive sprockets 25. The sprockets 10 are fast together with their teeth in alignment and are frictionally retarded by a brake comprising a disk 11 fast to the sprocket, and a non-rotating disk 12 pressed [against disk 11 by a spring 14 hearing against a nut- 15 on stationary shaft 13. The sprockets 25 are also fast together with their teeth in alignment and are adapted to be driven by gear 27 on shaft 26. Consequent- 1y, corresponding sprocket holes in the two films are positioned in transverse alignment at, each set of sprockets and the intervening film is stretched into registration, the shorter film taking. the tension until the films are equalized and the other film then sharing the residual tension if any. Thus the films are brought into potential registry before contacting with each other at point a and as they move upon the drum they may be more accurately registered by the tapered pins 18. l

The pressure roll 19, mounted on an arm 20 swinging on shaft 21 and pressed against the drum by spring 22, presses the films into intimate contact as they advance upon the drum; and the films are then held in contact until they leave the drum at point 6 with the relatively lightpressure resulting from the tension of ,the films between sprockets 10 and 25. The drum 7 is preferably rotated solely by the films.

In imbibition printing one of the films, e. g. the inner film 8 would be in the form of a relief or other matrix, while the other film might be a blankifilm provided with a dyeabsorbent gelatinecoating. With the matrix dyed in any suitable waypictures are printed on the blank film inltransit around the drum, the roller 19 pressing the films in intimate dye-transferring contact and the aforesaid tension retaining the films in close contact until the films leave the drum, the speed of the films being so adjusted that the dye transfer is completed before the films separate.

"In cementing two complemental films together cement is applied to one or both films before they contact and the cemented films pass off the drum to the same sprocket wheel, e. g. the lower wheel 25.

The embodiment shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is similar to that shown\in Fig. 1 in that it comprises frictionally retarded sprockets 10f, rollers 16, guide 17, pressure roll 19, drum 7, registering teeth or pins 18', and drive sprockets, now numbered 33. Take-up rolls 31 and 32 are also shown in Fig. 2. However, this embodiment differs from that shown in Fig. 1 in that additional rolls 25 are provided and in that'\ the teeth 18 are mounted in a different manner. The rolls 25' may be employed positively to hold the sprocket holes of the two films in transverse alignment intermediate the sprockets 10' and 33, and one of the rolls 16, e. g. the upper roll, may be in the form of a dye roll or cement roll for applying dye or cement to one of the films.

The pins 18 are mounted on spokes 28- which are mounted in the hubs 30. The spokes 28 are movable circumferentially, as for example, by flattening the portions 29 so that they may flex circumferentially, the flexible portions having sufficient elasticity normally to hold them in radial position and to urge them into radial position when flexed to one side of this position. The spokes 28 extend outwardly through slots in the periphery of the drum, whereby the pins18 may move circumferentially of the drum to accommodate themselves to the sprocket.

holes in the films. .In this way the films are 1 not forced to conform to a predetermined spacing of the pins but are merely forced to conform to each other, the pins merely interlocking the films together. This arrangement accommodates variations in the spacing of the sprocket holes due either to unequal shrinkage or to different degrees of stretching.

In Figs. 4 and 5 is disclosed a modified meme? form of registering drum 7 which may be riphery of the drum has radially extending marginal flanges 35 forming a guideway for the films and a hub 36 slotted at 37 to receive the base portions of flat spring spokes 38 (Fig. 5). These spokes may have flanged portions 39 extending perpendicularly to one surface thereof to be made fast to the web 40 of the drum 7" in any suitable manner as by screws 41. The free ends of aligned pairs of spokes 38. are tied together by cross pieces 42 having film engaging pins 43 extending through peripheral slots 44 in the guideway of the drum. The cross pieces 42 extend through slots in the web 40 of the drum (Fig. 4) and may be fastened to the spring spokes 38 by bolts 45. The spring spokes of the modification shown in Figs. 4 and 5 operate in the same manner as spokes 28 in Figs. 2 and 3 to effect stretching and exact registration of the films.

The modified form of apparatus disclosed in Fig. 6 provides means for positively moving the registering pins against a yielding force to stretch the films prior to the application of pressure. Films 8 and 9 pass from magazine drmns 46 and .47 over retarding sprockets 48 and 49 and thence together partly around registering drum 7 where heavy pressure is app ied thereto by pressure and 55.

Adjacent registering drum 7 is a cam plate 56 fast to the frame (not shown) in which the appai atus is supported. The cam plate 56 has a cam groove 57 comprising a lower run extending from point a to point 6 whence the groove rises at c to the intermediate level, which extends to point (Z, thence to a high run e of short duration which gradually merges into the low run at point a.

The registering drum 7 is disclosed in detail in one iform in .Figs. 7 and 8, and in another form in Figs. 9 and 10. In the form shown in Figs. 7 and 8 the registering pins 58 are supportedon cross bars 59 extend ing through a slot in the web of the drum 7, each bar being integral with or otherwise fast to an arm 60 substantially parallel to the web of the drum and mounted for swingmg movement thereon by means of a around drive supporting a tension rod extending within the frame 62. Between head 66 of rod 65 and the lower end of frame 62 is a spring 67 adapted to be adjustably'tensioned by an adjusting nut 68 on. the end of rod 65. Frame 62 has oppositely disposed cars 69 and 70 extending therefrom which normally contact pins 71 on an arm 72 pivoted on pivot 61. Arm 72 has a post 73 OXiQlltlllW therefrom upon which is a roller 7i whicii extends into the cam groove 57 in cam plate 56.

Referring now to Fig. 6 for a description of the operation of registering pins 58 for stretching the films into registration, roller 74 takes the extreme rise in the cam groove 57 at e or just as the films 8 and 9 reach the vicinity of the drum 7; hence the arm 72 is rocked upwardly, one of the pins 71 acting upon ear 70 to swing frame 62 and arm 60 to the right (Fig. 7) so that the registering pins are swung to the left to facilitate the entrance thereof into the sprocket openings of the films. Immediately thereafter the roller 74 follows the downward slope of the camgroove 57 to the point a. This swings arm 72 downwardly so that the other pin 71 operates upon ear 69 of frame 62 to swing the frame and arm 60 to the left, thus moving pins 58 to the right to stretch the films against the pull of the retarding sprockets 48 and 49. If the tension of the films exceeds the tension of spring 67 the arm 60 may remain stationary while the frame "62 moves upwardly against the tension of spring 67 to the limit of slots 63 so that the lifting effect of pin 71 upon ear 69 will not serve to swing arm 60 and thus damage the film. Hence it will be apparent that this arrangement provides a positive means for moving the registering pins 58 to stretch the films into registration but that this stretching effect is limited by the tension placed upon the spring 67 which will yield and permit frame 62 to move upwardly and the arm 60 to remain'relat-ively stationary if the pull upon the films is such as to be likely to'damage the latter.

The modified form of dru1n7 disclosed in Figs. 9 and 10 is similar to the form shown in Figs. 7 'and 8, the difference consisting in thesubstitution of a tension arm 75 in place of the tension frame 62 which produces a somewhat lighter structure. The

device is otherwise essentially the same and operates in the same manner.

In the modification shown in Figs. ll'and I 12 the exact registration of the films takes place entirely upon the registering drum 7 The path of films 8 and 9 in this instance is from suitable reels not shown to registering drum 7 at the point k, thence half way around the drum to the point i where the spring-pressed roller 77 forces the two films together. At the point j the films still pressed together are transferred-to a spokeless drum 78 where the films are held together for a predetermined time and thence to the take-up reels 79 and 80 which may be frictionally driven to pull the films through the apparatus.

The registering frame 7 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 81 supported in suitable bearings-in stationary side plates 82. The hub 83 of the registering drum has attached thereto a flanged plate 84 in the flanges 85 of which are pivoted spokes 86. These spokes extend through guide openings or slots 87 in annular flanges 88 mounted in spaced relation upon a plate 89 from which extends the circular disc or web 90 which supports the peripheral surface 91 upon which the films 8 and 9 are disposed. Spokes 86 are provided adjacent free .ends with weights 92. Disposed intermediate weighted spokes 86 and extending from slotted flanges 88 are spring spokes 93 which as illustrated are similar in all respects to spring spokes 28 shown and described in the modification of the apparatus disclosed in Figs. 2' and 3. The free ends of springspokes 93 are provided with pins 94 and 95, pin 94 completely filling the sprocket opening in the film both lengthwise and crosswise as clearly indicated in Fig. 13 and pin 95 closely fitting the sprocket openings longitudinally but not transversely. The pins 96 upon the weighted spokes do not closely fit the sprocket openings in the film in either direction as shown in Fig. 13 for a purpose presently to be described.

Extendingadjacent registering drum 7 for substantially one-quarter of its circumference are spacing tongues 97 fastened upon side plates 82 in which the drum is supported. These spacing tongues as shown in Fig. 12 extend inwardly between the marginal portions of the films 8 and-9 and prevent the two films from coming into direct contact during the period of relative adjustment between the films for effecting exactre'gistration.

The operation of the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 11 is as follows. Films 8 and 9 approach registering drum 7 tangentially at the base thereof as indicated in'Fig. 11, matrix film 8 extending between spacing tongues 97 and supporting surface 91 of the drum and blank film 9 being disposed outwardly of spacing tongues 97, although the pins 94, 95 and 96 on spokes 86 and 93 .extend through the sprocket openings of both films. As drum 7 turns in the direction of the arrow the weights 92 tend to draw down upon the film. against spring spokes 93. This drawing force or upon spokes 86' pulling upon the superposed films, which are where spacmg tongues 97 terminate, namely sible with apparatus of the type shown in q and 2 where the film is not sup- .Figs. 1

'lests have demonstrated that force ported.

to the extent of two pounds per square inch is clearly illustrated by the curate transverse may be applied to a film so supported without tearing the sprocket holes as compared with one-fifth of that force when the film is not supported on a smooth surface.

The manner. in which the spring and weight spokes act upon the superposed films plan View of Fig. 13 where the pins 94 and 95 of the spring spokes bring the two films into acalignment and pins 96 of the weighted spokes through their stretching effect produces accurate registration longitudinally. The pressure for forcing the two films into contact to begin the imbibition process is applied at the top of the drum 7 where the pulling effect of the weights on spokes thence held together by light pressure 1mposed by the drawing effect upon the film by the take-up reels 79 and 80 during the period in which the two films remain together, namely, on registration roller '7 from the point 2' to the point y and on the imbibition drum 7 8 from the point j until the films pass therefrom to their separate take-up reels. As the films pass beyond the point i at which pressure is applied, the weighted spokes 86 produce a pulling effect upon the films'in the opposite direction to that previously applied and prevents creeping or relative movement of the films upon one'another under the heavy pressure of imbibition roller 77.

Experiments have demonstrated that the transferring of images by imbibition is best effected by a heavy pressure applied momentarily followed by a light pressure extending over a period of 20- or two films is not essential but light pressure thereto due to the drag on.

is still applied the films produced by the frictlonally driyen take-up reels 79 and 80. .The process s similarly completely performed by the apparatus disclosed in Fig. 6. If desired, an im- 86 is neutralized. The two films are 30 seconds and that thereafter the process continues until commeme? bibition drum such as 51 (Fig. 6) or 78 (Fig. 11) may be used with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1 or Fig. 2.

If desired a preliminary stretching of the films may be effected before the latter pass upon registering drum 7 (Fig. 11). One form of apparatus for this purpose may comprise sprockets 98 and 99, each engaging the sprocket openings in one of the films. 'lhese sprockets may be geared together to turn at the same rate and one may be provided with a brake drum 100 having an adjustable brake band 101 frictionally engaging the same whereby the rotation of both sprockets is equally retarded for the purpose of stretching the films.

From the above it will be apparent that the forms of apparatus disclosed providefor the continuous printing of stripfilms by imbibition, that the films are accurately registered both longitudinally and laterally before they are permitted to come into intimate contact, that by the provision of a pulling force against yielding or retarding mechanism the shorter of the two films is selectively and automatically stretched to conform to the longer film without danger of injury to either, that the heavy pressure necessary to force the films into contact to begin the imbibition process is applied immediately after the films are brought into exact registration and while they are so held, that the films are restrained against relative movement during the application of pressure, and that the films are maintained in contact under light pressure thereafter until the transfer of images is completed.

By spacing the film-advancing means (sprockets 25 in Fig. 1) and the film-retarding means (sprockets 10) equal distances along the paths of the films and arranging the retarding sprockets to operate conjointly so that the shorter film is subjected to all the retarding force until it is stretched to conform to the other film and then both films are subjected to the residual stretching force, the films areautomatically registered intermediate the sprockets irrespective of the films throughout their lengths; that is, the retarding forces are automatically proportioned,-between the respective films in accordance with the difference in length of the films so that the films are always registered. If the difference in length ,of the two films increases a greater proportion of the retarding force is applied to the shortor film and less residual force remains to be counteracted by the'longer film; ifthe difference in'length decreases more of the force is applied to the longer film; if corresponding' portions of the films are equal in length the films are stretched equally; and if throughout subsequenti port-ions the inequality is reversed then the greater proporof variations in the inequalities tion of the retarding force is automaticall shifted to the other fihn.

e claim: 1. In the art of cinematography the method which comprises continuously feedopenings spaced apart equal distances along said paths respectively, thereby to stretch the films to equal lengths, and pressing the stretched films into registered contact.

3. The method of bringing two films into registration as they continuously travel along adjacent paths which comprises applying advancing and retarding forces to' the films at spaced points along their paths,

and automatically proportioning the retarding forces acting on the respective films in accordance with the difierence in length of the two films.

4. Cinematographic apparatus comprising means for continuously advancing two films in synchronism along adjacent paths, and means in the rear of said means for conjointly retarding the two films severally to register the portions intermediate the two means.

5. Ginematographic apparatus compris-' ing mechanism for synchronously advancing two films along adjacent paths, and means in the rear of said mechanism for frictionally retarding the two films said means acting conjointly on the two fi s so that the retarding force is applied predominantly to the shorter film irrespective of which film is the shorter.

6. Cinematographic apparatus comprising mechanism for synchronously advancing two films along adjacent paths, and brake means in the rear of said mechanism for 'frictionally retarding the films proportioning the retarding forces between the respective films in accordance with the relative lengths of the films.

7. Cinematographic apparatus comprising mechanism for synchronously advancing two films along adjacent paths," unitar sprocket-wheel means engaging correspon ing perforations in the two films, and means frictionally retarding said means, whereby retarding forces are automatically proportioned between the films in accordance with the relative lengths of the films.

8. Cinematographic a paratus comprise,

; ing mechanism for sync onously advancing two films along adjacent paths, interconnected sprocket idler wheels engaging corresponding sprocket holes in the respective films, and means for frictionally retarding said interconnected wheels.

9. In the art of cinematography the method which comprises continuously feeding two films along juxtaposed paths, and at equally spaced locations along the respective paths holding corresponding sprocket holes of the films opposite to each other, with the intervening portions of the films under tension, thereby to register the intervening portions before coming in contact.

10. Apparatus for producing cinematographic films by imbibition comprising means cooperating with the sprocket openings of a blank film and a matrix film at points spaced equidistantly along the respective films continuously to bring successive portions of said films first into potential registration and thereafter into exact registration, and means for forcing the registered portions of the films into intimate contact and for holding them in this position until the imbibition process is complete.

11. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises means for continuously advancing two films in juxtaposed relationship, and means including members entering corresponding spocket openings in both films to bring the films into potential registration, and means for applying the same retarding force to certain of said members whereby tension is applied to the films to stretch the latter into exact registration while in motion.

12. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises means for continuously advancing two filmsv in juxtaposed relationship and means for simultaneously applying yielding tension to said films selectively and automatically to stretch the shorter film into registration with the longer film while the films are in motion. I

13. In a device for the continuous printing of cinematographic films by imbibition, apparatus for continuously bringing a. matrix film and a blank film into exact re 'stration comprising spaced means adapter? to maintain a yielding tension on said films, the shorter film receiving the full stretching force until it conforms to the longer film.

I 14. Cinematographic apparatus comprising a film drum, means for feeding a plurality of films tangentially to the drum, thence partially around the drum in superposition and thence tangentially from the drum, said means including film advancing istering the portions of the films on the drum.

16, Ginematographic apparatus comprising a film drum, means for feeding a plurality 01E films tangentially to the drum, thence partially around the drum in super position and thence tangentially from the drum, registering pins extending radially from the drum, and means supporting the stretched films,

pins for-peripheral movement to accommo date the dimensions between the holes of the stretched films.

l7. Cinematographic apparatus comprising a film drum, means for feeding a plurality of films tangentially to the drum, thence partially around the drum in superposition and thence tangentially from the drum, said means including film advancing members engaging the films at corresponding points after the films have left the drum, registering pins extending radially from the drum, and means supporting the pins for peripheral movement to accommodate the dimensions between the holes of the 18. Ginematographic apparatus comprising a film drum, means for feeding a plurality of films tangentially to the drum. thence partially around the drum in superposition and thence tangentially from the drum, said means including film advancing members engaging the films at corresponding oints after the films have left the drum, yiel ing means for stretching the portions of the film on the drum into longitudinal registration, registering pins extending radially from the drum, andmeans supporting.

the pins for peripheral movement to accommodate the dimensions between the holes of the stretched films.

19. cinematographic apparatus comprising a film drum, means for advancing a plurality of films around the periphery of the drum in superposition, registering pins extending radially from the drum for registering the films, and means supporting the pins for movement circumferentially of the drum whereby the pins mayv move relative ly to the drum to accommodate difieren't sfipgping of the registering openings in the s. 20. In the art of cinematography the meme? method which comprises continuously advancing two films into contact and applying a retarding force to the films in a manner selectively effective upon the shorter film to stretch it into exact registration with the longer film.

21. In the art of cinematography the method which comprises continuously advancing two films into contact and applying a retarding force to successive corresponding portions of the films in a manner selectively efiective upon whichever portion is the shorter to stretch it into exact registration with the longer portion.

22. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into registration which-comprises means for continuously advancing two films into contact and means for applying a retarding force to the films selectively and automatically to stretch the shorter film into exact registration with the longer film.

23. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises means for continuously advancing two films into contact and means for applying a retarding force to successive corresponding portions of the films selectively and automatically to stretch the shorter portion into exact registration with the longer. portion regardless of unequal and uneven shrinkage of the films. v

24. Apparauts for bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises means for continuously advancing two films into contact, means entering spaced corresponding openings in both films, and means for applying a retarding force to the films through the rearmost of said first means selectively and automatically to stretch the shorter film into exact registration with the longer film regardless of unequal and uneven shrinkage of the films.

25. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises means for continuously advancin two films into contact members having tee i arranged to engage spaced corresponding openings in both films, and means applying a retarding force to the films through the rearmost of said teeth selectively and auto- 5 matically to stretch the shorter film into exact rgistration with the longer film regardlfielss of unequal and uneven shrinkage of the I 26. In the-art'of cinematography the meth- 0d which comprises continuously advancing two films into contact, conjointly applying a retarding force to the films, and causing the retarding force to be exerted upon successive overlapping and corresponding sections of the films so that the shorter section is selectively stretched into exact registration with the longer.

27. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into -registration which comprises means for continuously advancing two films in juxtaposed relationship, means for conjointly applying a.retarding force to both films before they contact and causing the retarding force to be exerted upon sucr cessive overlapping and corresponding sections of the films whereby the shorter section of the two films is selectively stretched into exact registration with the longer before they contact.

28.1 A method of bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises supporting portions of the films in registered relationship and simultaneously advancing the films by tension automatically applied to the shorter of the films.

29. The method of bringing cinematographic films into registration which comprises supporting portions of the films in approximate registration, applying tension to the films, and obtaining final registration of the films by automatically retarding the advancing movement of the shorter film to increase the tension thereon. 30. Apparatus for bringing cinematographic films into registration including sep-' arate film idler sprockets, means connecting the sprockets for synchronous movement, means in advance of said 5 rockets for feeding the films, and means or retarding said sprockets, whereby the tension will act pri-' pins and means for relatively shifting individual sets of pins.

JOSEPH A. BA L. ERNEST A.v GALLISON. EASTMAN A. WEAVER. 

